ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 187 



greatest quantity of drains (not being less than ten miles) on lands 

 owned by him or in his occupation in 1841-42. 



10. The proprietor or tenant who shall have brought into profitable 

 tillage, or pasture, within three years preceding, the greatest extent of 

 waste and hitherto uncultivated land or bog, not being less than 50 

 acres. 



Lord Cloncurry offered two prizes of ^^50 each for the following : — 



For the most approved practical grammar of Agricultural Chemistry or 

 essay on Manures as applicable to Ireland. 



For the best Report on the construction of Roads in Ireland, and the best 

 materials to be employed in their formation. 



An important communication was received from the Right Hon. T. F. 

 Kennedy, of the Treasury Chambers, Dublin Castle, suggesting measures 

 for the future conducting of the affairs of the Society in the interests of Irish 

 Agriculture. Briefly stated the suggestions were : — 



1. Each Local Agricultural Society to have a definite and not too 

 extensive boundary. 



2. That the limits of Poor Law Unions appear suitable for these 

 boundaries. 



3. That it is expedient to establish an Agricultural Society in each 

 Poor Law Union. 



4. That it is desirable to have each Union Society affihated to the 

 Central Society. 



5. That it is desirable to have an Agricultural Superintendent 

 attached to each Local Society ; the Royal Agricultural Improvement 

 Society to render assistance and to aid in the selection of the Agricul- 

 tural Superintendent. 



6. That it is expedient that the Royal Agricultural Improvement 

 Society should offer premiums within the boundaries of the Local Agri- 

 cultural Societ}'. 



7. That the Local Society should furnish reports to the Central 

 Society periodically, setting forth the condition of the district in all 

 matters of rural economy in order that the aid of the Central Society 

 might be duly considered and profitably applied. 



Mr. Kennedy furnished a draft of a letter which he proposed should be 

 sent to each Chairman of Boards of Guardians in Ireland. This letter 

 explained the policy involved in the work of the Agricultural Superinten- 

 dents that had been proposed for work with Local Agricultural Societies, 

 their duties, etc. The letter ran as follows : — " The Society can entertain 

 no doubt that an active, intelligent, and faithful person being located in a 

 district could not fail successfully to encourage and to direct most valuable 

 improvements, and that under his guidance a spirit of emulation would be 

 g^enerated such as must conduce greatly to the best interests of all classes of 

 Society, and above all of the labouring classes, for whom extensive employ- 

 ment and payment of wages could not fail to arise. In making this state- 

 ment the Society have contemplated individuals, landlords, and tenants, and 

 landlords for their tenants, applying for and receiving advice and assist- 

 ance ; and that many such would exist they entertain a confident hope." 



